A Celebration of Traditions

My blog friend, Jill, is hosting a blog event called "Celebration of Traditions".  What a great way to remember what our families have been doing for years and what things we have come up with that our children and grandchildren will be calling their family traditions.  I'm so honored to participate in Jill's event and to share some of the Christmas traditions in my family.  She has posted a list of people who are participating and has linked to all of our blogs...so join in the fun as we celebrate the traditions of the season.

From the time I can remember, Christmas has been a time of celebration and family.

There was no doubt in my mind as to the purpose of Christmas; it was a celebration of the birth of Christ.  The music at our home and at church, the play when I was the angel bringing glad tidings of great joy, the Christmas cards and the decorations all reminded me of the reason for the holiday.

Santa played a small role in the celebration of Christmas; well, at least he did until I was about 3 or 4 when my older brother figured out that the presents that were hidden in the hall closet were a train set for him and a doll stroller for me...and that my parents were pawning them off as Santa gifts.  Well, the magic of Santa was pretty short lived for me...since I did in fact get that doll stroller on Christmas morning!

Ashley usually had one or two Santa gifts under the tree and I'm not quite sure exactly when she stopped believing that Santa actually brought the gifts.  For years, we took Ashley to T.C. Eggington's restaurant for "Tea With Santa".  TC's is a brunchery that's only open for breakfast and lunch and they would reopen it for an invitation only tea party after the lunch hour on a Saturday in December.

We all loved that tradition, as well as the one where Ashley put out cookies for Santa...to this day there's a "Santa" gift under the tree for Miss Ash.

Christmas was one of the times when my Mom's creativity really blossomed.  Mom is a pretty shy person and she doesn't do things for show...but when it came to Christmas, she loved decorating and preparing and she was so attentive to the details.  We often had the extended family over for dinner on Christmas Day and she would go all out with the meal preparations, the table settings and the gorgeous hand made candles and fresh greenery that would be the centerpiece for the table. 

It was so easy for me to get caught up in all of the details with her...I loved baking and decorating cookies and setting the table became one of my important "jobs" when we were expecting company.  Somewhere along the way, we began doing the whole family celebration on Christmas Eve and more often than not, the dinner is held at our house.  I love preparing the food, the table, the decorations...following in the footsteps of my Mom.  Interestingly enough, there's someone else who is totally into it these days...Ashley.  I'm guessing that she will carry forward many of the food traditions.

Mom was also totally into gift wrapping and making the presents look perfect.  While I'm not about perfection as much, I do love having the presents coordinated and pretty!  For years, I've used plain kraft paper which I buy in large rolls and every year, I change out the colors of the ribbons...this year, it's silver, white and vintage music ribbon to coordinate with the white trees.

Through all of the preparation, making things pretty, taking delight in the decorating, I am reminded of what this holiday means to me and to my family.  It truly is a celebration...it's the birthday of a King!  And, the birthday of a King is a pretty special event which warrants special traditions!

Do you have any traditions that you'd like to share with all of us?  I'd love to hear about something that you've established or something that's been passed down in your family...and, most certainly, link to your blog so that we can share in your celebrations of the season.

I hope that you take time to preserve some of the traditions and to talk about them with the family...better yet, take time to journal them...on your blog, in your journal, in a special mini book or a scrapbook album.  Wishing you peace, joy and many blessings through your celebrations.

   

Comments

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

Your pictures are beautiful! So nice that your parents instilled what the true meaning of Christmas is!
Merry Christmas!

Robin

[kathleen]

I love the wrapped presents with the ribbon! Where can I find craft paper in large rolls? And your decorations are heavenly!

[Leslie]

So beautiful! I love the idea of wrapping everything in kraft paper too. The table setting was lovely. I'm getting ideas!

Merry Christmas!

[Lea]

I so enjoyed reading and seeing the pictures of family traditions dear to you and your joy in the celebration of Christ's birth. Thank you for having us over to your home to share in this beauty that you create!

[Jill]

Carol,
Your traditions are filled with love and beauty. Thank you so much for sharing them. Your mother sounds like a lovely woman... your memories of your childhood Christmas's are so fun to hear. Thank you for being a part of the celebration!
Merry Christmas!
xoxoxo
Jill

[Mosaic Queen]

Your family traditions are very lovely!!!
The wrapped presents are just Beautiful!!!!
Happy Holidays!!!
Michelle